Sharing My Unique Story to You
Lena and Me: Christopher Smith Story
BLACK, DEAF, and QUEER with MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
My Story
Christopher Smith
Deaf since birth, Chicago born, Christopher Smith began his education at Whitney Young High School, where he began to study dance. Since then, Christopher has pursued a career, as a dancer, choreographer, and actor. As a dancer, he began dancing with the Sixth Sense performers in Chicago. Mr. Smith largely credits its director, Charlotte Akinsonon, and its choreographer, the late, Roscoe Gillenwater, as integral to his training.
"Don't know why
There's no sun up in the sky
Stormy weather"
Lena Horne, 1943 version
photo courtesy of www.moviefanfare.com
Credits
As an actor, Christopher has worked with The National Theatre of the Deaf, the Sunshine Too Theatre Company, Deaf West Theatre (in Los Angeles), Centerlight Theatre (in Chicago), Chicago Dramatists' Workshop, the Intiman Theater (in Seattle),
Film work includes "The Compensation" starring Michele A. Bank and directed by Zeinabu Irene Davis. He was also featured prominantly in "It Takes The Light To Make The City", directed by Louis Antonelli.
Dance Credits
Other dance credits include working with The Joseph Holmes School of Dance, Joel Hall of Performing Arts, Dance Space, The American Deaf Dance Theatre Company (New York City, principle dancer, under the direction of Michael Thomas & Adrianne Enrich), and the Gallaudet University Dance Company. Christopher also performed with, the very innovative, National and International Wild Zappers, noted for being an all-male, all-Deaf, African-American dance company. Christopher considers the highlight of his work in dance to be his work with the Dayton Institute of the Arts, in Dayton, Ohio.
Mr. Smith is, possibly, best known for his work as the choreographer for "Deaf Side Story", a bi-lingual musical production, done in collaboration between MacMurray College Theatre Department (providing the hearing cast), and the Illinois School of The Deaf (providing the Deaf cast), in Jacksonville, Illinois. Christopher received a Contribution to the Dance World Award from the Chicago Park District for his work on this production. The production, is documented, in Mark Rigney's book "Deaf Side Story" (Gallaudet University Press).
As an instructor, Christopher has worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology Dance Company (also assistant director), the San Antonio Summer Deaf Dance Camp, The Seattle Theater's Deaf Youth Drama Program, and the Community Service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, also in Seattle. In Oregon, Illinois, more recently, Christopher has taught dance (ages 8-12) for the International Creative Camp and worked as a Black Deaf Advocate in Chicago. He also was able to choreograph selections from "Dreamgirls" for the White Ball Affair Banquet, hosted by Black Deaf Advocate, in 2012, during the same year, Mr. Smith was allowed to sign & dance the song "Ease On Down The Road", from "The Wiz" to prepare Chicago's Deaf & Hearing youth for the 78th Bud Billiken Parade.
Final Step to One Man Stardom
Christopher's final dance role, for now, was as Larry in "A Chorus Line" in 2014. During the production, Christopher was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In recent years, due to the rigorous physical challenges of dance, Christopher was been focusing his energies on continuing his education and on the Theatre, by studying at Ohlone College, in Fremont, California.
Quite recently, Smith had a short piece, "Lena And Me", published in "They Eyes of Desire, Part II: A Deaf LGBT Reader" (Ed. Raymond Luczak) He is currently working on expanding this piece into a full one-man show with news about this project, to be shared, as it develops.
Upcoming Events
Sat, Apr 13Nevada State College
Sat, Feb 16DCARA Deaf Community Center
Contact Me
